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Industrial oil separators

Description

Oil separators (or oil skimmers) are used in plant to take the discharge gas from the compressor and separate the oil from water, wastewater, or within commercial cooling or refrigeration systems, separate the oil from the refrigerant. This prevents the compressor oil from being carried over to other components in the system.

The separator displayed, manufactured in Australia in around the 1950-60s, has an asbestos coating finish. This indicates it was likely used on plant with high operating temperatures.

Brands/products

  • Hudson

  • Others yet to be identified

Years of production/use

Prior to late 1970s

Residential uses

  • n/a

Industrial uses
  • Transformers, cooling functions for large plant, commercial refrigeration or air conditioning.
Be aware

Aged and damaged coatings may be friable, particularly if having been exposed to repeated temperature variations or knocks over a long service life.

Industrial shaft bearings

Description

Manufactured from chrysotile asbestos.

Depicted example was removed from a cooling system butterfly valve within an Australian power station.

Years of production/use

Prior to 2004

Brands/products

Not identified

Residential uses

–

Industrial uses

·       As described

Be aware

Asbestos dust and debris in immediate vicinity and damage to components during maintenance or replacement.

Ducts with woven asbestos connectors

Description

Machinery and plant with duct connectors of woven asbestos cloth. Asbestos cloth was a sound structural material ideal for hot air flows connecting to plant such as vibration isolators.

Aside from OEM components in supplied plant, use was subject to preferences of maintenance personnel.

Brands/products

Not identified with respect to large plant. There were asbestos cloth manufacturers in Australia – refer to Woven asbestos textile for insulation information page.

Years of production/use

Prior to 2003

Residential uses

Aircon plant in multi-storey residential complexes

Industrial uses

HVAC plant or other industrial ducting where flexible connectors are a component

Be aware

Noting the condition of any woven fabric identified with asbestos – dust within ducting and in immediate location may contain asbestos.

Friction materials

Description

Friction materials designed to withstand constant heat and maintain structural integrity.

Friction materials are a risk for losing fibres due to the constant contact with a moving (rubbing) secondary surface.   

See also: Brake pads in transformer tap changer motor units

Brands/products

Not identified

Years of production/use

Prior to 2003 and some imported product

Residential uses
  • Multi storey apartments with lifts
Industrial uses
  • Industrial lifts, industrial plant with drive wheels requiring brake material components
  • High speed centrifugals, cranes, friction hoists, winding machines

 

Be aware

Asbestos containing dust/debris in immediate vicinity.

Overseas original equipment manufacturers may have supplied components with ACM prior to Australian ban.

After-market parts from certain countries may still be a risk.

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Email: enquiries@asbestossafety.gov.au

Phone: 1300 326 148

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The Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders past, present and emerging.

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